Probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having teeth form

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, and more specifically, to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, capable of objectively analyzing various physical properties felt by a person when chewing food, selecting and using a probe corresponding to a molar, a front tooth or a canine tooth, allowing a vertical motion of a press to be interlocked with a motion of the jaw joint, and allowing chewing experiments similar to real chewing of the human body to be carried out by enabling smooth occlusion of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the national stage entry of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/KR2014/009434 filed on Oct. 7, 2014and is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0000902, filed on Jan. 3, 2014, Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0067234, filed on Jun. 2, 2014 and Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0067235, filed on Jun. 2, 2014, the entirecontents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a teeth form, and more specifically, to aprobe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teethform, capable of objectively analyzing various physical properties feltby a person when chewing food, selecting and using a probe correspondingto a molar, a front tooth or a canine tooth, allowing a vertical motionof a press to be interlocked with a motion of the jaw joint, andallowing chewing experiments similar to a real chewing motion of thehuman body to be carried out by enabling smooth occlusion of the upperjaw and the lower jaw.

BACKGROUND ART

In many cases, deliciousness of food is directly related with feelingfelt by the tongue or mouthfeel felt when chewing food, as well as tasteof food. Further, a person may also evaluate quality of food by knowinghardness, softness, viscosity, elasticity, density, a size of particles,and the like of food through physical stimulus or mouthfeel in themouth, and based thereon, determining freshness, maturement, degree ofboiling, presence or absence of foreign material, component composition,and the like.

Texture of food greatly affects decision on intake of the food andaffects purchase intention of food of a consumer. Therefore, in foodindustries, texture analysis is performed in product development processso that the food has texture consumers prefer.

The texture analysis of food may be performed by two methods of sensoryevaluation and a method using a device. However, in a case of sensoryevaluation, it is difficult to objectively digitize texture evaluationitems. Accordingly, physical properties of general food are analyzedusing various kinds of texture analyzers.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-227021 (published on Aug.31, 2006) as the related art discloses a porous food palatabilityevaluation method and a porous food data processing device. The porousfood palatability evaluation method and the porous food data processingdevice are to evaluate palatability of porous food by using valuesobtained by performing acoustic analysis on sound and vibrationgenerated when crushing and chewing the porous food by using sharpnessand roughness as an acoustic measure, without performing a sensoryexperiment.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-12242 (published on Jan.15, 2004) discloses a food texture measuring method and a food texturemeasuring device. The food texture measuring device which quantifiesfood texture from a position of crushing by measuring vibration at thetime of crushing food by bone conduction, includes a plurality of thinplates corresponding to teeth, a first supporter corresponding to thejawbone and having two sensors connected to both sides of the thinplates, a driving unit moving the first supporter to hold the food usingthe plurality of thin plates and crush the food, a acquisition unitacquiring an electrical signal by converting the vibration at the timeof crushing food into an electrical signal by the sensor, and acalculation unit requiring index indicating time difference of theelectrical signal, difference in relative amplitude by attenuation, theposition of crushing, and a degree of localization.

The analysis using the device like the food texture measuring deviceaccording to the related art described above may be easily and rapidlyperformed, and a result having reproducibility may be obtained. However,since a probe used in such analysis generally has a simple cylinderform, a pin form, a conical form, or a blade form and a thin platecorresponding to teeth as described above is used, food texture by amolar, a front tooth or a canine tooth actually constituting the teethmay not be accurately and objectively analyzed. That is, the probeshaving simple forms that are currently used have a form and a sizecompletely different from those of teeth of human, thus physicalproperties of food to be chewed by human may not be objectivelyanalyzed.

Meanwhile, the problem was some what solved by providing a probe devicefor analyzing physical properties of food, having a standard teeth formof the real human body. That is, the physical properties of food wasable to be objectively analyzed using a probe device having a teethform.

However, since such probe device for analyzing physical properties offood, having a teeth form was configured to move an upper jaw model anda lower jaw model in a vertical direction to be occluded, there is muchdifference with a real chewing motion of the human body using the jawjoint, therefore, it is difficult to accurately measure the physicalproperties of food.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide probes having astandard teeth form of the real human body, thereby providing a probedevice using the probes and being capable of objectively analyzingphysical properties of food.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means forselecting and using all or only a probe having a required tooth formamong probes corresponding to respective teeth.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a probe devicecapable of more accurately and objectively analyzing physical propertiesof food by allowing a vertical motion of a press to be smoothlyinterlocked with a chewing motion of an upper jaw model and a lower jawmodel to thereby allow a chewing motion similar to a real chewing motionof the jaw joint of the human body to be carried out.

Further, objects of the present invention are not limited to theabove-mentioned object. Other objects that are not mentioned may beobviously understood by those skilled in the art to which the presentinvention pertains from the following description.

Technical Solution

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food,including: an upper jaw model part formed in a shape of the upper jaw ofthe human body and including an upper jaw gum part in which upper jawinstallation holes for installing respective upper jaw tooth models areeach formed; and a lower jaw model part formed to be occluded with theupper jaw model part and including a lower jaw gum part in which lowerjaw installation holes for installing respective lower jaw tooth modelsare each formed, in which probes having an upper jaw teeth form, ofwhich a form and the number are the same as those of molars, canineteeth, and front teeth, are detachably coupled to the upper jawinstallation holes, respectively, probes having a lower jaw teeth form,of which a form and the number are the same as those of molars, canineteeth, and front teeth, are detachably coupled to the lower jawinstallation holes, respectively, and all of the probes having an upperjaw teeth form and the probes having a lower jaw teeth form areinstalled in the upper jaw gum part and the lower jaw gum part and used,or only selected probes having a teeth form among the probes having anupper jaw teeth form and the probes having a lower jaw teeth form areinstalled in the upper jaw gum part and the lower jaw gum part and used.

The probes having an upper jaw teeth form and the probes having a lowerjaw teeth form may include contact parts contacting each other; andcoupling screw parts coupled to the upper jaw gum part and the lower jawgum part, respectively, and the coupling screw parts may be coupled tothe upper jaw installation holes and the lower jaw installation holes,respectively.

The upper jaw model part may include an upper jaw support member coupledto a lifting member installed in a device for analyzing physicalproperties of food and ascending and descending; and an upper jawconnection member formed in the same shape as an upper surface area ofthe upper jaw gum part, disposed between the upper jaw support memberand the upper jaw gum part, and having a ring shape for forming an upperjaw space between the upper jaw support member and the upper jaw gumpart when the upper jaw support member and the upper jaw gum part arecoupled to each other, and the lower jaw model part may include supportblocks installed on a table of the device for analyzing physicalproperties of food and installed to be positioned directly under theupper jaw support member; the lower jaw support member coupled to anupper surface of the support block; and a lower jaw connection memberformed in the same shape as a bottom surface area of the lower jaw gumpart, disposed between the lower jaw support member and the lower jawgum part, and having a ring shape for forming a lower jaw space betweenthe lower jaw support member and the lower jaw gum part when the lowerjaw support member and the lower jaw gum part are coupled to each other.

The upper jaw model part may include an upper jaw fixing unit for fixingrespective coupling screw parts inserted into the upper jaw installationholes, the upper jaw fixing unit may include upper jaw fixing boltsincluding bolt holes to be fastened to the coupling screw parts in theupper jaw space for detachably fixing the probes having an upper jawteeth form to the upper jaw gum part, the lower jaw model part mayinclude a lower jaw fixing unit for detachably fixing each couplingscrew part inserted into the lower jaw installation hole, and the lowerjaw fixing unit may include lower jaw fixing bolts including bolt holesto be fastened to the coupling screw parts in the lower jaw space forfixing the probes having a lower jaw teeth form to the lower jaw gumpart.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a probe device for analyzing physical properties offood, including: an upper jaw installation part including an upper jawmodel in which respective upper jaw tooth models are installed, andcoupled to a pressurizing member of a press device that verticallyreciprocates; a lower jaw installation part including a lower jaw modelin which lower jaw tooth models are installed, and coupled to the upperjaw installation part by a shaft coupling part so that the lower jawmodel is occluded with the upper jaw model; a base on which the lowerjaw installation part is installed and supported; and a connection partdisposed between the pressurizing member and the upper jaw installationpart and allowing the upper jaw installation part and the lower jawinstallation part to perform a chewing motion by interlocking of thepressurizing member and the shaft coupling part.

The connection part may include a lower bearing part coupled to theupper jaw installation part; an upper bearing part coupled to thepressurizing member; and a connection rod having both ends each coupledto the upper bearing part and the lower bearing part so as to be freelybent within a predetermined angle range.

The lower bearing part may include a first bearing housing having afirst bearing seating step on which a first bearing is seated and afirst cover seating step on which a hollowed first bearing cover isseated that are formed therein, and coupled to an upper surface of theupper jaw installation part; and a first shaft joint coupled with afirst coupling bolt that is inserted from a bottom surface of the firstbearing housing in a state in which one end of the first shaft joint isinserted into the first bearing cover to be integrated with the firstbearing housing while rotation of the first shaft joint itself issupported by the first bearing, and having a first joint formed at theother end of the first shaft joint and including a shaft hole forshaft-coupling the first joint to a lower end portion of the connectionrod, and the upper bearing part may include a second bearing housinghaving a second bearing seating step on which a second bearing is seatedand a second cover seating step on which a hollowed second bearing coveris seated that are formed therein, and coupled to a bottom surface ofthe pressurizing member; and a second shaft joint coupled with a secondcoupling bolt that is inserted from an upper surface of the secondbearing housing in a state in which one end of the second shaft joint isinserted into the second bearing cover to be integrated with the secondbearing housing while rotation of the second shaft joint itself issupported by the second bearing, and having a second joint formed at theother end of the second shaft joint and including a shaft hole forshaft-coupling the second joint to an upper end portion of theconnection rod.

In both end portions of the connection rod, yoke parts to which thefirst joint and the second joint are inserted, respectively, androtatably coupled using the shaft may be formed, and joint bearings maybe each installed between the shaft hole and the shaft to supportbending rotation of the first shaft joint and the second shaft joint.

The shaft coupling part may include a lower connection member having oneend coupled to a rear surface of the lower jaw installation part; anupper connection member having one end coupled to a rear surface of theupper jaw installation part; and a connection shaft shaft-coupling theupper connection member and the lower connection member by penetratingthrough each of the other ends of the upper connection member and thelower connection member.

The base may include a central block on which the lower jaw installationpart is seated and coupled; and side blocks each coupled to both sidesof the central block to support the central block.

The base may be provided with an angle adjusting unit for adjusting thecentral block to which the lower jaw installation part is coupled withina predetermined angle based on a horizontal line, and the angleadjusting unit may include a plurality of angle adjusting grooves formedat one side surface or both side surfaces of the central block to whichthe side blocks are coupled; and angle adjusting protrusions selectivelyinserted into the angle adjusting grooves and formed at the side blockin a position corresponding to the angle adjusting grooves to fix anangle of the central block.

The angle adjusting grooves may be radially disposed based on afastening hole to which a coupling bolt for coupling the side block tothe central block is fastened, and disposed each at both sides of thefastening hole, and the angle adjusting protrusions may be each disposedat both sides thereof based on a bolt through hole through which thecoupling bolt penetrates.

In the side blocks, long holes for sliding the central block forward orbackward when the pressurizing member is operated to make the connectionpart operate the upper jaw installation part so that the chewing motionof the upper jaw model and the lower jaw model is performed may be eachformed in a vertical direction, and long bolts for coupling the sideblocks to a bottom plate of the probe device may penetrate through thelong holes to be installed.

In the side blocks, long holes for changing a position of the centralblock toward a front side or a rear side and fixing the changed positionmay be each formed in a vertical direction, position determining groovesmay be successively formed in the long holes, and long bolts forcoupling the side blocks to a bottom plate of the probe device maypenetrate through the long holes to be installed.

The connection part may include a lower ball head part coupled to theupper jaw installation part; an upper ball head part coupled to thepressurizing member; and a connection rod having both ends each coupledto the upper ball head part and the lower ball head part so as to befreely bent within a predetermined angle range.

The connection rod may have an upper end portion and a lower end portionto which a first joint ball and a second joint ball are each coupled,the upper ball head part may include a first ball housing cap of which alower portion is opened to accommodate a first ball housing in which thefirst joint ball is seated and an edge of an upper end is provided witha flange; a first ball housing cover including a first tension washerseated on the flange and having a first joint ball bushing supportingthe first joint ball and installed in the first ball housing cover; andan upper fixing bracket coupled to an upper surface of the first ballhousing cover and having an upper surface coupled to the pressurizingmember, and the lower ball head part may include a second ball housingcap of which an upper portion is opened to accommodate a second ballhousing in which the second joint ball is seated and an edge of a lowerend is provided with a flange; and a second ball housing cover includinga second tension washer seated on the flange, having a second joint ballbushing supporting the second joint ball and installed in the secondball housing cover, and coupled to an upper surface of the upper jawinstallation part.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, there may be provided a probe devicefor analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form that iscapable of more objectively and accurately measuring the physicalproperties of food when analyzing the physical properties of food byusing the probe device having a teeth form, as compared to data obtainedby analysis using the general probes according to the related art.

Further, a solution for measuring and improving texture of food may beprovided by applying a technology for controlling physical propertiessuch as food texture, hardness, and viscosity that are required for eachdisease of the elderly when analyzing physical properties related tochewing of food by using the device for analyzing physical properties offood to which the probe device having a teeth form is applied.

Further, the probe device having a teeth form, of which a form and thenumber are the same as those of teeth of the human body is applied, suchthat an effect of analyzing texture by selectively attaching ordetaching the probes having a tooth form that corresponds to a fronttooth, a canine tooth, or a molar of the upper jaw and the lower jaw,and analyzing a cutting effect of a front tooth, a rupture effect of acanine tooth, and a trituration effect by a chewing motion of a molar,respectively, may be provided.

Further, an effect of more accurately measuring and objectivelyanalyzing physical properties of food may be provided by allowing thevertical motion of the press device to be smoothly interlocked with thechewing motion of the upper jaw model and the lower jaw model by theconnection part having a bearing structure or a ball head structure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a probe device foranalyzing physical properties of food according to a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of theprobe device for analyzing physical properties of food illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the probe device for analyzingphysical properties of food illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating anupper jaw fixing unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views illustrating a state in which the probedevice for analyzing physical properties of food illustrated in FIG. 1is installed and used in a device for analyzing physical properties offood.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a probe device foranalyzing physical properties of food, having a bearing linkagestructure according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views illustrating an assembled state ofthe probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having abearing linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled state of aconnection part illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows schematic side views illustrating a state in which anangle of a central block is adjusted by an angle adjusting unitillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a state before a chewing motion ofthe probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having abearing linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a state after the chewing motion ofthe probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having abearing linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a probe device foranalyzing physical properties of food, having a ball head linkagestructure according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views illustrating an assembled stateof the probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having aball head linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled state of aconnection part illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 shows schematic side views illustrating a state in which anangle of a central block is adjusted by an angle adjusting unitillustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating a state before a chewing motion ofthe probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having aball head linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a state after the chewing motion ofthe probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having aball head linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 13.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred exemplary embodiments of the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawingsas follows. However, in describing the present invention, a descriptionof a well-known function or configuration will be omitted in order tomake the gist of the present invention obvious.

(Exemplary Embodiment 1)

In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewillustrating a probe device for analyzing physical properties of foodaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG.2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the probedevice for analyzing physical properties of food illustrated in FIG. 1,and FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the probe device for analyzingphysical properties of food illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partiallyenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an upper jaw fixing unitillustrated in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views illustrating astate in which the probe device for analyzing physical properties offood illustrated in FIG. 1 is installed and used in a device foranalyzing physical properties of food.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a probe device 20 for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a teeth form according to the presentinvention which is installed in a device 10 for analyzing physicalproperties of food to measure physical properties of food, is to moreobjectively and accurately measure physical properties when analyzingthe physical properties of food by using probes that are formed to havethe same form and the same number as those of teeth of the human body,as compared to data obtained by analysis using the general probesaccording to the related art.

This will be described in more detail.

The probe device 20 for analyzing physical properties of food, having ateeth form according to the present invention includes an upper jawmodel part 30 formed in a shape of the upper jaw of the human body andincluding an upper jaw gum part 32 in which upper jaw installation holes32A for installing respective upper jaw tooth models are each formed,and a lower jaw model part 40 formed to be occluded with the upper jawmodel part 30 and including a lower jaw gum part 42 in which lower jawinstallation holes 42A for installing respective lower jaw tooth modelsare each formed. That is, the probe device 20 having a teeth formincludes the upper jaw model part 30 formed in a shape of the upper jawof the human body and having the upper jaw installation holes 32A formedtherein, and the lower jaw model part 40 formed in a shape of the lowerjaw and having the lower jaw installation holes 42A formed therein.

The upper jaw gum part 32 and the lower jaw gum part 42 are formed in ashape of the upper jaw and a shape of the lower jaw of the human body,respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Further, probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form, of which a form andthe number are the same as those of molars, canine teeth, and frontteeth, are detachably coupled to the upper jaw installation holes 32A,respectively, and probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form, of which aform and the number are the same as those of molars, canine teeth, andfront teeth, are detachably coupled to the lower jaw installation holes42A, respectively.

The upper jaw installation holes 32A have a stopper step 32B formedtherein as illustrated in FIG. 4. The stopper steps 32B are a componentfor holding the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form to be seated.

The probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form which is formed in a teethform using a melamine synthetic resin, is configured to be similar toteeth of the human body. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the probes 34 havingan upper jaw teeth form include a contact part 34A contacting the probes44 having a lower jaw teeth form, and a coupling screw part 34Bdetachably coupled to the upper jaw installation hole 32A of the upperjaw gum part 32.

The probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form are formed to have the sameform, the same shape, and the same number as those of molars, canineteeth, and front teeth (adult standard).

Although not illustrated, a stopper step is formed in the lower jawinstallation holes 42A, like the upper jaw installation hole 32A. Thestopper step is a component for holding the probes 44 having a lower jawteeth form to be seated.

The probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form, which are formed in a teethform using a melamine synthetic resin like the probes 34 having an upperjaw teeth form, is configured to be similar to teeth of the human body.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth forminclude a contact part 44A contacting the probes 34 having an upper jawteeth form, and a coupling screw part 44B detachably coupled to thelower jaw installation hole 42A of the lower jaw gum part 42.

The probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form are formed to have the sameform, the same shape, and the same number as those of molars, canineteeth, and front teeth (adult standard).

Meanwhile, the upper jaw model part 30 includes an upper jaw supportmember 36 coupled to a lifting member 12 installed in the device 10 foranalyzing physical properties of food and ascending and descending, andan upper jaw connection member 38 formed in the same shape as an uppersurface area of the upper jaw gum part 32, disposed between the upperjaw support member 36 and the upper jaw gum part 32, and having a ringshape for forming an upper jaw space S1 between the upper jaw supportmember 36 and the upper jaw gum part 32 when the upper jaw supportmember 36 and the upper jaw gum part 32 are coupled to each other. Thatis, the upper jaw gum part 32 is coupled to a bottom surface of theupper jaw support member 36 using a bolt, or the like while interposingthe upper jaw connection member 38.

The lower jaw model part 40 includes support blocks 45 installed on thetable 14 of the device 10 for analyzing physical properties of food andinstalled to be positioned directly under the upper jaw support member36, the lower jaw support member 46 coupled to an upper surface of thesupport block 45, and a lower jaw connection member 48 formed in thesame shape as a bottom surface area of the lower jaw gum part 42,disposed between the lower jaw support member 46 and the lower jaw gumpart 42, and having a ring shape for forming a lower jaw space S2between the lower jaw support member 46 and the lower jaw gum part 42when the lower jaw support member 46 and the lower jaw gum part 42 arecoupled to each other. That is, the lower jaw gum part 42 is coupled toan upper surface of the lower jaw support member 46 using a bolt, or thelike while interposing the lower jaw connection member 48.

Meanwhile, the upper jaw model part 30 includes an upper jaw fixing unitfor fixing respective coupling screw parts 34B inserted into the upperjaw installation holes 32A. The upper jaw fixing unit includes upper jawfixing bolts 50A including bolt holes 52A to be fastened to the couplingscrew parts 34B in the upper jaw space S1 for detachably fixing theprobes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form to the upper jaw gum part 32.

That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the upper jaw fixing bolt 50Ais inserted into the upper jaw installation hole 32A in the upper jawspace S1 and fastened to the coupling screw part 34B inserted into theupper jaw installation hole 32A to thereby fix the probes 34 having anupper jaw teeth form to the upper jaw gum part 32. In other words, in astate in which the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form is insertedinto the upper jaw installation hole 32A and obstructed by the stoppingstep, the upper jaw fixing bolt 50A is inserted into the upper jawinstallation hole 32A in the upper jaw space S1, and then the couplingscrew part 34B is fastened to the bolt hole 52A formed in an end portionof the upper jaw fixing bolt 50A, such that the probes 34 having anupper jaw teeth form may be firmly coupled to the upper jaw gum part 32.If the upper jaw fixing bolt 50A is loosened, the probes 34 having anupper jaw teeth form may be separated from the upper jaw gum part 32.

The lower jaw model part 40 includes a lower jaw fixing unit fordetachably fixing respective coupling screw parts 44B of the probes 44having a lower jaw teeth form inserted into the lower jaw installationholes 44A. The lower jaw fixing unit includes lower jaw fixing bolts 50Bincluding bolt holes 52B to be fastened to the coupling screw parts 44Bof the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form in the lower jaw space S2for fixing the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form to the lower jawgum part 42. If the lower jaw fixing bolt 50B is loosened, the probe 44having a lower jaw teeth form may be separated from the lower jaw gumpart 42.

The upper jaw fixing unit and the lower jaw fixing unit having thestructure as described above are to couple the probes 34 having an upperjaw teeth form and the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form to theupper jaw gum part 32 and the lower jaw gum part 42, respectively, anddetach the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form and the probes 44having a lower jaw teeth form from the upper jaw gum part 32 and thelower jaw gum part 42, respectively, as needed. That is, the upper jawfixing unit and the lower jaw fixing unit having the structure asdescribed above are used for selectively using only the needed probes 34or 44 having a teeth form among the probes 34 and 44 having a teeth formincluding probes having a molar form, a canine form, or a front toothform, or using all of the probes 34 and 44 having a teeth form as theyare.

Meanwhile, the probe device 20 having a teeth form according to thepresent invention may be applied to the device for analyzing physicalproperties of food that has various structures. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5, a structure in which a lifting member 12 that isvertically installed and operated to ascend and descend and the table 14are provided may be applied, but the present invention is not limited toany one structure.

Functions of the probe device for analyzing physical properties of food,having a teeth form that is configured as described above will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In a state in which the upper jaw model part 30 including the probes 34having an upper jaw teeth form is coupled to the lifting member 12 ofthe device 10 for analyzing physical properties of food, and the lowerjaw model part 40 including the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth formis coupled to the support block 45 installed on the table 14 of thedevice 10 for analyzing physical properties of food, food of whichphysical properties are to be measured is seated on an upper surface ofthe probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form.

Then, the device 10 for analyzing physical properties of food isoperated to lower the lifting member 12.

This operation allows the contact parts 34A of the probes 34 having anupper jaw teeth form to occluded with the contact parts 44A of theprobes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form. In this case, the device 10 foranalyzing physical properties of food measures physical properties ofthe food positioned between the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth formand the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form through sensors embeddedtherein. Detailed operation and measurement operation of the device 10for analyzing physical properties of food are known in the art,therefore, detailed description therefor will be omitted.

As such, physical properties of food may be measured by allowingocclusion between the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form and theprobes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form in a state in which the food ispositioned between the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth form and theprobes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form that are configured identical orsimilar to teeth of the human body, such that the physical properties offood may be more objectively and accurately measured, as compared todata measured and analyzed using the probes according to the related artsuch as probes having a conical form or a blade form.

Meanwhile, a user may leave only the needed probe 34 having an upper jawteeth form and probe 44 having a lower jaw teeth form among the probes34 having an upper jaw teeth form and the probes 44 having a lower jawteeth form and separate the others as needed to measure physicalproperties of food as described above.

For example, the user may leave only the probes 34 having an upper jawteeth form and probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form that correspondto molars and remove the others to measure physical properties of foodas described above. This is to measure and analyze the triturationeffect by the chewing motion of molars, and the like.

As such, texture of food may be measured and analyzed through functionsof canine teeth, front teeth, and the like as well as molars by leavingonly the needed probe among the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth formand the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form and removing the otherprobes, or by using all of the probes 34 having an upper jaw teeth formand the probes 44 having a lower jaw teeth form.

(Exemplary Embodiment 2)

In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective viewillustrating a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food,having a bearing linkage structure according to a second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspectiveviews illustrating an assembled state of the probe device for analyzingphysical properties of food, having a bearing linkage structureillustrated in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustratingan assembled state of a connection part illustrated in FIG. 7. Further,FIG. 10 shows schematic side views illustrating a state in which anangle of a central block is adjusted by an angle adjusting unitillustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a statebefore a chewing motion of the probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a bearing linkage structure illustrated inFIG. 7, and FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a state after thechewing motion of the probe device for analyzing physical properties offood, having a bearing linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, a probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a bearing linkage structure according to thepresent invention is to analyze physical properties of food through achewing motion similar to a chewing motion of the human body andincludes an upper jaw installation part 120 including an upper jaw model122 in which respective upper jaw tooth models 124 are installed, andcoupled to a pressurizing member 114 of a press device 112 thatvertically reciprocates, a lower jaw installation part 130 including alower jaw model 132 in which lower jaw tooth models 134 are installed,and coupled to the upper jaw installation part 120 by a shaft couplingpart 160 so that the lower jaw model 132 is occluded with the upper jawmodel 122, and a base 150 on which the lower jaw installation part 130is installed and supported.

Hereinafter, each component will be described in more detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the press device 112 is configured tolift and lower the pressurizing member 114 provided at an upper areathereof, and is provided with a bottom plate 116 on which the base 150is seated at a lower area thereof. Although not illustrated, a sensorfor sensing a degree of pressurization of the pressurizing member 114, acontrol part, and the like are installed in the press device 112.

The upper jaw installation part 120 has a structure in which the upperjaw model 122 is coupled to a bottom surface the upper jaw installationpart 120, and one end of an upper connection member 162 constituting ashaft coupling part 160 is coupled to a rear surface of the upper jawinstallation part 120 using a bolt. A plurality of coupling holes forcoupling the upper jaw model 122 so that a position of the upper jawmodel 122 may be varied are formed in the bottom surface of the upperjaw installation part 120. The position of the upper jaw model 122 maybe adjusted and fixed by the plurality of coupling holes.

The lower jaw installation part 130 has a structure in which the lowerjaw model 132 is coupled to an upper surface the lower jaw installationpart 120, and one end of a lower connection member 164 constituting theshaft coupling part 160 is coupled to a rear surface of the lower jawinstallation part 130 using a bolt. A plurality of coupling holes forcoupling the lower jaw model 132 so that a position of the lower jawmodel 132 may be varied are formed in the lower surface of the lower jawinstallation part 130. The position of the lower jaw model 132 may beadjusted and fixed by the plurality of coupling holes.

The upper jaw installation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part130 are shaft-coupled by the shaft coupling part 60. The shaft couplingpart 160 includes the upper connection member 162 coupled to the rearsurface of the upper jaw installation part 120 and the lower connectionmember 164 coupled to the rear surface of the lower jaw installationpart 130 described above, and a connection shaft 166 shaft-coupling theupper connection member 162 and the lower connection member 164 bypenetrating through each of the other ends of the upper connectionmember 162 and the lower connection member 164. In this case, the upperconnection member 162 and the lower connection member 164 have astructure extending toward a rear side (where the tooth models are notinstalled) at a predetermined length, specifically, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 8B, the lower connection member 164 has a structure in whicha horizontal part is formed at an area adjacent to the lower jawinstallation part 130, and an inclined part that is inclined toward theupper connection member 162 is formed at an end portion of thehorizontal part. This is to form a predetermined interval such that theupper jaw installation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part 130are parallel to each other during the chewing motion.

The connection part 140 connects the upper jaw installation part 120 andthe pressurizing member 114 to each other to transfer pressurizing forceof the pressurizing member 114 to the upper jaw installation part 120.The connection part 140 includes a lower bearing part 142 coupled to anupper surface of the upper jaw installation part 120, an upper bearingpart 144 coupled to the pressurizing member 114, and a connection rod146 having both ends each coupled to the upper bearing part 144 and thelower bearing part 142 so as to be freely bent. That is, the connectionpart 140 is configured to allow upper and lower connection regions ofthe connection rod 146 to be multiply bent by the pressurizing force ofthe pressurizing member 114 when the pressurizing member 114 ascends anddescends, thereby making the chewing motion of the upper jawinstallation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part 130 morenatural.

The connection part 140 will be described in more detail.

The lower bearing part 142 includes a first bearing housing 142D and afirst shaft joint 142G, the first bearing housing 142D having a firstbearing seating step 142B on which a first bearing 142A is seated and afirst cover seating step 142C on which a hollowed first bearing cover142E is seated that are formed therein, and being coupled to the uppersurface of the upper jaw installation part 120, and the first shaftjoint 142G being coupled with a first coupling bolt 142F that isinserted from a bottom surface of the first bearing housing 142D in astate in which one end of the first shaft joint 142G is inserted intothe first bearing cover 142E to be integrated with the first bearinghousing 142D while rotation of the first shaft joint 142G itself issupported by the first bearing 142A, and having a first joint 142Hformed at the other end of the first shaft joint 142G and including ashaft hole 1421 for coupling the first joint 142H to a lower end portion146A of the connection rod 146 using a shaft 142J.

In this case, a yoke part 146C to which the first joint 142H is insertedand rotatably coupled using the shaft 142J is formed at the lower endportion 146A of the connection rod 146.

Further, a joint bearing 142K having a bushing form is installed betweenthe above described shaft 142J and shaft hole 1421.

In the lower bearing part 142 having the above described structure, thelower end portion 146A of the connection rod 146 may rotate by the firstbearing 142A and be bent at a predetermined angle based on the shaft142J by the joint bearing 142K. That is, the first bearing 142A supportsthe rotation of the first shaft joint 142G itself, and the joint bearing142K supports the bending rotation of the first shaft joint 142G.

The upper bearing part 144 has a form and a structure that aresymmetrical to the lower bearing part 142 and includes a second bearinghousing 144D and a second shaft joint 144G, the second bearing housing142D having a second bearing seating step 144B on which a second bearing144A is seated and a second cover seating step 144C on which a hollowedsecond bearing cover 144E is seated that are formed therein, and beingcoupled to a bottom surface of the pressurizing member 114, and thesecond shaft joint 144G being coupled with a second coupling bolt 144Fthat is inserted from an upper surface of the second bearing housing144D in a state in which one end of the second shaft joint 144G isinserted into the second bearing cover 144E to be integrated with thesecond bearing housing 142D while rotation of the second shaft joint142G itself is supported by the second bearing 144A, and having a secondjoint 144H formed at the other end of the second shaft joint 144G andincluding a shaft hole 1441 for coupling the second joint 142H to anupper end portion 146B of the connection rod 146 using a shaft 144J. Theupper surface of the second bearing housing 144D is coupled to thebottom surface of the pressurizing member 114 by a coupling bracket144L.

In this case, a yoke part 146C to which the second joint 144H isinserted and rotatably coupled using the shaft 144J is formed at theupper end portion 146B of the connection rod 146. Further, a jointbearing 144K having a bushing form is installed between the abovedescribed shaft 144J and shaft hole 1441. In the upper bearing part 144having the above described structure, the upper end portion 146B of theconnection rod 146 may rotate by the second bearing 144A and be bent ata predetermined angle based on the shaft 144J by the joint bearing 144K.That is, the second bearing 144A supports the rotation of the secondshaft joint 144G itself, and the joint bearing 144K supports the bendingrotation of the second shaft joint 144G.

In the connection part 140, the lower end portion 146A of the connectionrod 146 is bendably and rotatably supported by the lower bearing part142 and the upper end portion 146B of the connection rod 146 is bendablyand rotatably supported by the upper bearing part 144, such that anascending and descending operation of the pressurizing member 114 may beinterlocked with the chewing motion of the upper jaw installation part120 and the lower jaw installation part 130. That is, the upper jawinstallation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part 130 are notvertically occluded, but flexibility may be given so that the chewingmotion of the upper jaw installation part 120 and the lower jawinstallation part 130 that is similar to that of the jaw joint of thehuman body may be made.

On the base 150, the lower jaw installation part 130 installed andsupported. The base 150 includes a central block 152 on which the lowerjaw installation part 130 is seated and coupled, and side blocks 154each coupled to both sides of the central block 152 to support thecentral block 152.

The base 150 is provided with an angle adjusting unit for adjusting thecentral block 152 to which the lower jaw installation part 130 iscoupled within a predetermined angle based on a horizontal line. Thatis, an angle at which the central block 152 is inclined toward the frontbased on the horizontal line may be adjusted within a predeterminedrange.

The angle adjusting unit will be described in detail.

Then angle adjusting unit includes a plurality of angle adjustinggrooves 152A formed at one side surface or both side surfaces of thecentral block 152 to which the side blocks 154 are coupled, and angleadjusting protrusions 154A selectively inserted into the angle adjustinggrooves 152A and formed at the side block 154 in a positioncorresponding to the angle adjusting groove 152A to fix the angle of thecentral block 152. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the angleadjusting grooves 152A are formed at one side surface or both sidesurfaces of the central block 152, and the angle adjusting protrusions154A selectively inserted into each of the angle adjusting grooves 152Aare formed at a surface of the side block 154 contacting a surface atwhich the angle adjusting grooves 152A are formed.

In this case, adjusting the angle of the central block 152 is enabled byfastening a coupling bolt 156 for coupling the side block 154 to thecentral block 152 to a fastening hole 152B formed at the central block152 in a state in which the angle adjusting protrusions 154A areinserted into the angle adjusting grooves 152A. That is, both sideblocks 154 may be coupled to the central block 152 and the angle of thecentral block 152 may be fixed to an adjusted angle by fastening andtightening the coupling bolt 156 in a state in which the angle of thecentral block 152 is adjusted.

Meanwhile, the angle adjusting grooves 152A are radially disposed basedon the fastening hole 152B, and disposed at both sides of the fasteninghole 152B. Further, the angle adjusting grooves 152A are formed in a fanshape as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10.

The angle adjusting protrusions 154A are disposed at both sides of abolt through hole 154B formed at the side block 154 so that the couplingbolt 156 penetrates therethrough.

As such, since the angle adjusting grooves 152A or the angle adjustingprotrusions 154A are provided at both sides of the fastening hole 152Band the bolt through hole 154B, the angle of the central block 152 maybe stably fixed.

Meanwhile, in the side blocks 154, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, long holes154C for sliding the central block 152 forward or backward when thepressurizing member 114 is operated to make the connection part 140operate the upper jaw installation part 120 so that the chewing motionof the upper jaw model 122 and the lower jaw model 132 is performed areeach formed in a vertical direction, and long bolts 154D for couplingthe side blocks to the bottom plate 116 of the probe device penetratethrough the long holes 154C to be installed. Here, the long bolt 154Dmay be installed so that a head portion thereof is exposed to an uppersurface of the side block 154.

A function of the above described probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a bearing linkage structure according to thepresent invention will be described.

In a state in which both side blocks 154 of the base 150 are fastenedand fixed to the bottom plate 116 by the long bolt 154D penetratingthrough the long hole 154C, and the pressurizing member 114 and theupper jaw installation part 120 are connected to each other by theconnection part 140, the upper jaw model 122 is installed under theupper jaw installation part 120 and the lower jaw model 132 is installedon the lower jaw installation part 130.

Here, the upper jaw tooth models 124 are provided in the upper jaw model122 and the lower jaw tooth models 134 are installed in the lower jawmodel 132. These tooth models 124 and 134 are replaceably installed inthe upper jaw model 122 and the lower jaw model 132.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the angle adjusting protrusions 154are inserted into the angle adjusting grooves 152A at a predeterminedangle by loosening the coupling bolt 156 to loose both side blocks 154and the central block 152 and adjusting the angle of the central block152. Then, the adjusted angle of the central block 152 is fixed bytightening the coupling bolt 156. By such angle adjustment, the angle ofthe central block 152 may be adjusted to various angles as illustratedin the views of FIG. 10. That is, the angle of the central block 152 maybe adjusted from 0° to 25° based on the horizontal line H.

As such, adjusting the central block 152 to be inclined forward at apredetermined angle is to make the chewing motion of the upper jawinstallation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part 130 similar tothe chewing motion of the jaw joint of the human body. That is, this isto compensate a problem of the probe device according to the related artthat the chewing motion is performed in a manner that an upper jaw modelvertically descends in a state in which a lower jaw model ishorizontally fixed, which is far from the real chewing motion of thehuman body.

Meanwhile, the long bolts 154D are fastened to the bottom plate 116through the long holes 154C of respective side blocks 154. Here, theside blocks 154 may be slid within the range of the long holes 154C sothat the pressurizing force of the connection part 140 may be perfectlyvertically transferred to the upper jaw installation part 120 at thetime of the chewing motion of the upper jaw installation part 120 andthe lower jaw installation part 130. That is, when the upper jawinstallation part 120 descends and pressurizes the lower jawinstallation part 130 to perform the chewing motion, the side blocks 154constituting the base 150 are slid within the range of the long holes154C to move forward or backward, thereby allowing the smooth chewingmotion of the upper jaw model 122 and the lower jaw model 132.

To this end, it is preferable that the long holes 154C are formed in ashape in which position determining grooves 154E are removed asillustrated in FIG. 8A.

Further, in order to adjust and fix the position of the side blocks 154so that the side blocks 154 are not slid, a plurality of positiondetermining grooves 154E may be formed in the long holes 154C asillustrated in FIG. 7 or 8A to fasten the long bolt 154D to the bottomplate 116 through a desired position determining groove 154E.

When the angle and the position of the base 150 are fixed as describedabove, food to be measured and analyzed is disposed between the upperjaw model 122 and the lower jaw model 132, and the press device 122 isoperated.

When the press device 122 is operated, the pressurizing member 114descends to pressurize the connection part 140.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, in a state before the pressurizingmember 114 is operated, when the pressurizing member 114 descends andpressurizes the connection member 140, the pressurizing force of thepressurizing member 114 is transferred to the upper jaw installationpart 120 through the connection rod 146 of the connection part 140, thusthe upper jaw installation part 120 rotates toward the lower jawinstallation part 130 based on the connection shaft 166. In this case,when the pressurizing member 114 descends, the upper bearing part 144and the upper end portion 146B of the connection rod 146, and the lowerbearing part 142 and the lower end portion 146A of the connection rod146 are freely bent within a predetermined range.

Because of such structure, connection between the pressurizing member114 and the upper jaw installation part 120 is maintained even in astate in which a central axial line of the pressurizing member 114 and acentral vertical line of the upper jaw installation part 120 are notmatched with each other since the upper jaw installation part 120 islifted upwardly based on the connection shaft 166 of the shaft couplingpart 160, and when the pressurizing member 114 descends, as illustratedin FIG. 12, the pressurizing force of the pressurizing member 114 istransferred to the upper jaw installation part 120 so that the upper jawmodel 122 and the lower jaw model 132 are occluded with each other by apredetermined pressure thereby allowing the chewing motion to beperformed.

Further, even when the pressurizing member 114 descends in a state inwhich the angle of the central block 152 of the base 150 is adjusted toincline the central block 152 forward so that the lower jaw model 132 isinclined forward, and the upper jaw installation part 120 is liftedupwardly in an inclined manner by the shaft coupling part 160 asillustrated in FIG. 10, the respective tooth models 124 and 134 of theupper jaw model 122 and the lower jaw model 132 horizontally contact andare occluded with each other by the connection part 140 that may bemultiply bent. That is, interlocking of the connection part 140 and theshaft coupling part 160 makes the chewing motion of the upper jawinstallation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part 130 similar tothe chewing motion of the jaw joint of the human body, such thatphysical properties of food disposed between the respective tooth models124 and 134 may be measured under a condition similar to that of thechewing motion of the human body.

Further, the first bearing 142A and the second bearing 144A of theconnection part 140 support the rotation of the first shaft joint 142Gand the second shaft joint 144G themselves, and the joint bearings 142Kand 144K each support the bending rotation of the connection rod 146,thereby making the chewing motion of the upper jaw installation part 120and the lower jaw installation part 130 by the ascending and descendingoperation of the pressurizing member 114 natural.

(Exemplary Embodiment 3)

In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective viewillustrating a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food,having a ball head linkage structure according to a third exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspectiveviews illustrating an assembled state of the probe device for analyzingphysical properties of food, having a ball head linkage structureillustrated in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating an assembled state of a connection part illustrated in FIG.13. Further, FIG. 16 shows schematic side views illustrating a state inwhich an angle of a central block is adjusted by an angle adjusting unitillustrated in FIG. 13, FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating a statebefore a chewing motion of the probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a ball head linkage structure illustrated inFIG. 13, and FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a state after thechewing motion of the probe device for analyzing physical properties offood, having a ball head linkage structure illustrated in FIG. 13.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 18, a probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, having a ball head linkage structure according to athird exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an upperjaw installation part 120, a lower jaw installation part 130, aconnection part 240, a base 150, and a shaft coupling part 160. Thecomponents except for the connection part 240 are the same as thecomponents in the second exemplary embodiment, thus description thereforwill be omitted, and only configuration of the connection part 240 ofwhich a reference numeral is changed will be described.

The connection part 240 connects the upper jaw installation part 120 andthe pressurizing member 114 to each other to transfer the pressurizingforce of the pressurizing member 114 to the upper jaw installation part120. The connection part 140 includes a lower ball head part 242 coupledto the upper surface of the upper jaw installation part 120, an upperball head part 244 coupled to the pressurizing member 114, and aconnection rod 246 having both ends each coupled to the upper ball headpart 244 and the lower ball head part 242 so as to be freely bent. Thatis, the connection part 240 is configured to allow upper and lowerconnection regions of the connection rod 246 to be inclined at an angleof about 0 to 80° by the pressurizing force of the pressurizing member114 when the pressurizing member 114 ascends and descends, therebymaking the chewing motion of the upper jaw installation part 120 and thelower jaw installation part 130 more natural.

The connection part 240 will be described in more detail.

The connection rod 246 has an upper end portion and a lower end portionto which a first joint ball 246A and a second joint ball 246B are eachcoupled, has a function of connecting the pressurizing member 114 andthe upper jaw installation part 120. The first joint ball 246A and thesecond joint ball 246B are each coupled to both end portions of theconnection rod 246 by bolts.

The upper ball head part 244 includes a first ball housing cap 244C ofwhich a lower portion is opened to accommodate a first ball housing 244Ain which a first joint ball 246A is seated and an edge of an upper endis provided with a flange 244B, a first ball housing cover 244Fincluding a first tension washer 244D seated on the flange 244B andhaving a first joint ball bushing 244E supporting the first joint ball246A and installed in the first ball housing cover 244F, and an upperfixing bracket 244G coupled to an upper surface of the first ballhousing cover 244F and having an upper surface coupled to thepressurizing member 114. The first tension washer 244D is to elasticallysupport the first ball housing cap 244C and the first ball housing cover244F.

The first ball housing 244A is disposed between the first ball housingcap 244C and the first joint ball bushing 244E and formed of siliconehaving hardness of 45 to 50 to elastically support the first ballhousing cap 244C and the first joint ball bushing 244E using tension.

The lower ball head part 242 includes a second ball housing cap 242C ofwhich an upper portion is opened to accommodate a second ball housing242A in which a second joint ball 246B is seated and an edge of a lowerend is provided with a flange 242B, a second ball housing cover 242Fincluding a second tension washer 244D seated on the flange 242B, havinga second joint ball bushing 242E supporting the second joint ball 246Band installed in the second ball housing cover 242F, and coupled to theupper surface of the upper jaw installation part 120.

Here, the second tension washer 242D is to elastically support thesecond ball housing cap 242C and the second ball housing cover 242F, thesecond ball housing 242A is disposed between the second ball housing cap242C and the second joint ball bushing 242E and formed of siliconehaving hardness of 45 to 50 to elastically support the second ballhousing cap 242C and the second joint ball bushing 242E using tension.

In the connection part 240, the lower end portion of the connection rod246 is bendably and rotatably supported by the lower ball head part 242within a range of 0 to 80° and the upper end portion of the connectionrod 246 is bendably and rotatably supported by the upper ball head part244 within a range of 0 to 80°, such that an ascending and descendingoperation of the pressurizing member 114 may be interlocked with thechewing motion of the upper jaw installation part 120 and the lower jawinstallation part 130. That is, the upper jaw installation part 120 andthe lower jaw installation part 130 are not vertically occluded, butflexibility may be given so that the chewing motion of the upper jawinstallation part 120 and the lower jaw installation part 130 that issimilar to that of the jaw joint of the human body may be made.

Only a portion of the functions of the probe device for analyzingphysical properties of food, having a ball head linkage structureaccording to the third exemplary embodiment of the present inventionthat is distinguished from the second exemplary embodiment will bedescribed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, in a state before the pressurizingmember 114 is operated, when the pressurizing member 114 descends andpressurizes the connection member 240, the pressurizing force of thepressurizing member 114 is transferred to the upper jaw installationpart 120 through the connection rod 246 of the connection part 240, thusthe upper jaw installation part 120 rotates toward the lower jawinstallation part 130 based on the connection shaft 166. In this case,when the pressurizing member 114 descends, the upper ball head part 244and the upper end portion of the connection rod 246, and the lower ballhead part 242 and the lower end portion of the connection rod 246 arefreely bent within a predetermined range.

Because of such structure, connection between the pressurizing member114 and the upper jaw installation part 120 is maintained even in astate in which a central axial line of the pressurizing member 114 and acentral vertical line of the upper jaw installation part 120 are notmatched with each other since the upper jaw installation part 120 islifted upwardly based on the connection shaft 166 of the shaft couplingpart 160, and when the pressurizing member 114 descends, thepressurizing force of the pressurizing member 114 is transferred to theupper jaw installation part 120 so that the upper jaw model 122 and thelower jaw model 132 are occluded with each other by a predeterminedpressure thereby allowing the chewing motion to be performed.

Further, even when the pressurizing member 114 descends in a state inwhich the angle of the central block 152 of the base 150 is adjusted toincline the central block 152 forward so that the lower jaw model 132 isinclined forward, and the upper jaw installation part 120 is liftedupwardly in an inclined manner by the shaft coupling part 160, therespective tooth models 124 and 134 of the upper jaw model 122 and thelower jaw model 132 horizontally contact and are occluded with eachother by the connection part 240 that may be multiply bent. That is,interlocking of the connection part 240 and the shaft coupling part 160make the chewing motion of the upper jaw installation part 120 and thelower jaw installation part 130 similar to the chewing motion of the jawjoint of the human body, such that physical properties of food disposedbetween the respective tooth models 124 and 134 may be measured under acondition similar to that of the chewing motion of the human body.

Further, the first joint ball 246A and the second joint ball 246B of theconnection part 240 rotate in the first ball housing 244A and the secondball housing 242A to support bending, thereby making the chewing motionof the upper jaw installation part 120 and the lower jaw installationpart 130 by the ascending and descending operation of the pressurizingmember 114 natural.

Although the specific exemplary embodiment of the present invention isexplained and illustrated, but the present invention is not limited tothe described exemplary embodiment. It is apparent to those skilled inthe art that the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may bevariously modified and changed without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, such modifications and changes should beunderstood to fall with the concept and the scope of the presentinvention, and the modifications belong to the scope of the claims ofthe present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the probes having a teeth formcorresponding to front teeth, canine teeth, and molars of the upper jawand the lower jaw may be selectively attached and detached, such thatphysical properties of food may be more specifically and objectivelymeasured as compared to the case of using the general probes accordingto the related art, and the vertical motion of the press device and thechewing motion of the upper jaw model and the lower jaw model areinterlocked with each other by the connection part having a bearingstructure or a ball head structure, such that the physical properties offood may be more accurately measured and objectively analyzed. In viewof this fact, the present invention may be used for a related technique,and an apparatus to which the present invention is applied may also bemarketed or available for business, and the present invention may berealistically and obviously carried out, and thus the present inventionis industrially applicable.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A probe device for analyzing physicalproperties of food, comprising: an upper jaw model part formed in ashape of an upper jaw of the human body and including an upper jaw gumpart in which upper jaw installation holes are formed; a lower jaw modelpart formed to be occluded with the upper jaw model part, the lower jawmodel part including a lower jaw gum part in which lower jawinstallation holes are formed; a plurality of first probes having anupper jaw teeth form and detachably coupled to the upper jawinstallation holes, each probe of the plurality of first probes havingan upper jaw teeth form being formed as one of a molar, a canine tooth,and a front tooth of an upper jaw; and a plurality of second probeshaving a lower jaw teeth form detachably coupled to the lower jawinstallation holes, each probe of the plurality of second probes havinga lower jaw teeth form being formed as one of a molar, a canine tooth,and a front tooth of a lower jaw.
 2. The probe device for analyzingphysical properties of food of claim 1, wherein the first probes havingan upper jaw teeth form and the second probes having a lower jaw teethform include contact parts configured to contact each other; andcoupling screw parts coupled to the upper jaw gum part and the lower jawgum part, respectively, wherein the coupling screw parts are coupled tothe upper jaw installation holes and the lower jaw installation holes,respectively.
 3. The probe device for analyzing physical properties offood of claim 2, wherein the upper jaw model part includes an upper jawsupport member coupled to a lifting member installed in a device foranalyzing physical properties of food and configured to ascend anddescend; and an upper jaw connection member formed in the same shape asan upper surface area of the upper jaw gum part, disposed between theupper jaw support member and the upper jaw gum part, and having a ringshape to form an upper jaw space between the upper jaw support memberand the upper jaw gum part when the upper jaw support member and theupper jaw gum part are coupled to each other, and the lower jaw modelpart includes support blocks installed on a table of the device foranalyzing physical properties of food and installed to be positioneddirectly under the upper jaw support member; a lower jaw support membercoupled to an upper surface of the support block; and a lower jawconnection member formed in the same shape as a bottom surface area ofthe lower jaw gum part, disposed between the lower jaw support memberand the lower jaw gum part, and having a ring shape to form a lower jawspace between the lower jaw support member and the lower jaw gum partwhen the lower jaw support member and the lower jaw gum part are coupledto each other.
 4. The probe device for analyzing physical properties offood of claim 3, wherein the upper jaw model part includes an upper jawfixing unit for fixing respective coupling screw parts inserted into theupper jaw installation holes, the upper jaw fixing unit includes upperjaw fixing bolts including bolt holes to be fastened to the couplingscrew parts in the upper jaw space for detachably fixing the firstprobes having an upper jaw teeth form to the upper jaw gum part, thelower jaw model part includes a lower jaw fixing unit for detachablyfixing each coupling screw part inserted into the lower jaw installationhole, and the lower jaw fixing unit includes lower jaw fixing boltsincluding bolt holes to be fastened to the coupling screw parts in thelower jaw space for fixing the second probes having a lower jaw teethform to the lower jaw gum part.